China now has the biggest artificial forest area in the world, according to figures released in Beijing.
Director of the State Forest Administration (SFA) Zhou Shengxian told an international seminar on sustainable development in China’s forest and timber industries that the country now has 46.69 million ha of artificial forest – 26% of the world’s total artificial forest area.
He also said China’s total forested area has grown to 160 million ha, with timber storage up to 12.5 billion m3 and forest cover now 16.55% of the landmass. Timber and bamboo provided by the forestry industry currently stands at more than 5 billion m3 and more than 8 billion m3 respectively.
The SFA says it wants to further open up its forestry industry to the outside world and is welcoming overseas businesses to establish enterprises and joint ventures.
